CA1295978C - Farebox security device - Google Patents
Farebox security deviceInfo
- Publication number
- CA1295978C CA1295978C CA000551900A CA551900A CA1295978C CA 1295978 C CA1295978 C CA 1295978C CA 000551900 A CA000551900 A CA 000551900A CA 551900 A CA551900 A CA 551900A CA 1295978 C CA1295978 C CA 1295978C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- shutter
- module
- farebox
- lock mechanism
- fare
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F9/00—Details other than those peculiar to special kinds or types of apparatus
- G07F9/06—Coin boxes
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
- G07B15/00—Arrangements or apparatus for collecting fares, tolls or entrance fees at one or more control points
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Finance (AREA)
- Devices For Checking Fares Or Tickets At Control Points (AREA)
Abstract
FAREBOX SECURITY DEVICE
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A farebox has two separate chambers with a communicating passageway between the chambers, a fare receiving and detecting module being located in one of the chambers for receiving deposited fares, detecting the deposited value, and transporting the fare to the communicating passageway, and a removable cashbox for storing deposited fares being located in the other chamber and having a deposit opening communicating with the passageway for receiving deposited fares from the fare receiving module. Both the fare receiving module and the cashbox are removably locked in their respective chambers, and a device for unlocking the fare receiving module is associated with a security shutter which is movable between a position closing and locking the communicating passageway and a position in which the communicating passageway is unblocked. Unlocking of the fare receiving module automatically moves the security shutter into a position blocking the communicating passageway.
[P388APA.K07]
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A farebox has two separate chambers with a communicating passageway between the chambers, a fare receiving and detecting module being located in one of the chambers for receiving deposited fares, detecting the deposited value, and transporting the fare to the communicating passageway, and a removable cashbox for storing deposited fares being located in the other chamber and having a deposit opening communicating with the passageway for receiving deposited fares from the fare receiving module. Both the fare receiving module and the cashbox are removably locked in their respective chambers, and a device for unlocking the fare receiving module is associated with a security shutter which is movable between a position closing and locking the communicating passageway and a position in which the communicating passageway is unblocked. Unlocking of the fare receiving module automatically moves the security shutter into a position blocking the communicating passageway.
[P388APA.K07]
Description
The present invention relates to a security device for a farebox or cash acceptance receptacle for automaticall~ securing a cash storage area when the receptacle is opened for maintenance purposes. The invention is particularly intended for use with a farebox of the type in which a fare acCeptiDg module of a farebox is removable for maintenance purposes by maintenance personnel having a key for releasiny the module.
Fareboxes or cash acceptance receptacles, for example of the type used to collect fares from transit passengers automatically, typically comprise an outer receptacle in whlch a secure cashbox is loca~ed, and have soma means for detectiny the deposit of coins and/or bills and registering the appropriate payment. A suitable coin and~or bill deposit section is provided in the receptacle and guides deposited cash into the cashbox. The cashbox has openings ~7hich are automatlcally closed and locked when the receptacle is opened to allow the cashbox to be removed and replaced when full. These openings are open to allow the deposit of cash from the deposit section when the cashbox is securely locked within the farebox. Thus there is a security problem if anyone gains access to the interior of the deposit section of the farebox while the cashbox is in place.
7~3 One prior art farebox is shownr for example, in Re No.
28,307 of Dominick et al. In this case deposited fares are visible to a driver who determines whether the correct payment is made. The driver oPerates a trip bar to allow -fares to fall into a cashbox. A blocking plate is shifted into a position blocking an opening allowing passage of fares rom the fare deposit area to the cashbox area on opening of an access door to the cashbox area. Other fareboxes of this yeneral type are shown, for example, in U. S. Patent No. 3,741,~64 of Verbecke and U. S.
Patent No. 3,974,961 of Dominick et al showing a cashbox having deposit openings which are automatically closed and locked by sliding baffle plates on removal of the cashbox from an outer receptacle such as a farebox or vault.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided a farebox comprising: a housing having two separate chambers with at least one connecting passageway communicating between the two chambers; a fare receiving module located in a first one of the chambers and having means for receiving fares deposited in the housing, and means for transporting deposited fares to the connecting passageway; a locking device associated with the fare receiving module ~or releasably locking the module in the first chamber; a security shutter in the housing movable between a first position blocking the connecting passageway and a second position in which the passageway is unblocked; a cashbox located in the other chamber and having at least one deposit opening communicating with the connecting passageway for receiving fares deposited in the passageway by the fare receiving module;
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and linkage means linking said security shutter to said locking device for moving said security shutter into said first position in response to unlocking of said locking device to release the fare receiving module from the housing and moving said security shutter into said second position in response to locking of said locking device to secure said moduIe in said housing. The fare receiving module preferably includes an apparatus or device for detecting the value of a deposited fare and a transport mechanism for transporting the deposited fare through the module to the connecting passageway.
The cashbox located in the second chamber receives fares from the fare receiving module and stores accumulated fare deposits. The cashbox is removably locked in the chamber and itself has a security shutter or blocking plate which automatically closes and locks any fare receiving opening when the cashbox is released from the chamber.
Thus the farebox is doubly secure, since not only is the cashbox automatically closed and locked prior to its removal from the housing for emptying, for example, but a connecting passageway which connects a fare receiving and detecting module to the cashbox is also automatically closed and locked if the module has to be removed~ for example for maintenance purposes.
Thus unauthorized access or entry to the cashbox chamber is prevented, reducing the risk of theft.
Preferably, the locking device comprises a key member rotatably mounted on the fare receiving module and a lock device in the chamber for engagement by the key when the module is 7~
- 3a -correc-tly positioned in the chamber. The shutter device is linked to the lock device so that rotation of the key in a first direction acts both to lock the key member in the lock device and therefore the fare receiving module in the chamber and also to move the shutter out of the passageway to allow fares to be deposited in the cashbox.
Rotation of the key in an opposite, unlocking directisn acts to release the key and module ~rom the lock and to move the shutter in the opposite direction in~o a position blocking the passageway, where it will be locked in place until the key is again inserted and rotated in the firs~ direction.
BRI~@ D~SCRIPrION OF T~ DRAWI~GS
The present invention will be bet~er understood trom the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment/ taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like re~erence numerals refer to like parts and in wh.ich:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a farebox according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention ~howing the farebox housing in broken line outline to reveal components o~ the ~arebox within the housing;
Pigure 2 is a cutaway view of one side of the fa~ebox showing a fare receiving module for receiving fares ~t an entry opening in the housing and feeding them to a cashbox while detecting the value o~ the received fares;
20Figure 3 is an exploded perspecti~e view of ~he ~are receiving module, locking device and security shutter of the farebox, showing the parts of the locking device separated~
Figure 4 i8 a top plan view of he lockin~ device and security ~hutter, showing the shutter in a clo&ed and locked po~ition3 ~nd Figure 5 i8 a ~ectional view taken on ~he line 5-5 o~
~ Figure 4 showing a f ir8t po~ition o~ the securi~y ~hutt@r :~ and locking device in ~olid outline and a second position of the security shutter and locking devace in dot~ed outline.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Figure 1 of the drawings shows a farebox incorporating a security shutter and locking device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The far~box is preferably of the type generally described in U. S. Patent No. 4,977,502.
The farebox is designed or use, for example, on a bus or other transit vehicle in an urban mass transportation system for receiving fares in the form of cash, tokens, or magnetically encoded farecards from passengers as they enter the vehicle.
The driver of the vehicle controls and monitors operation of the farebox.
The farebox includes processing devices for monitoring the value of deposited fares, determining if the amount tendered is sufficient to pay the fare, and acknowledging and recording fare payment. These processing devices are described in detail in U. S. Patent No. 4,977,502 and do not form a part of the present invention. They will therefore not be described in any detail in this application, which is specifically concerned with a security device for such a farebox.
As shown in Figure 1, a farebox 10 basically comprises an outer housing 12 including upper an~ lower separate chambers 14 and 16. The upper chamber has an aperture 18 for receiving ; strip-like fare media such as bills, farecards or tickets, and a coin aperture 20 for receiving coins or tokens. Mounted within the upper chamber is a bill receivin~ module 22 for receiving bills~ cards or tickets deposited in aperture 18, and a coin receiving module 24 for receiving coins or tokens deposited in :lZ~7~
aperture 20. Also mounted on the housing is a magnetic card reader 25 for reading magnetically encoded farecards. This does not form a part of the present invention and may be omitted in alternative embodiments.
A security plate or dividing wall 26 separates the upper chamber 14 from the lower chamber 16. The dividing wall has one or more connecting passageways or openings 28, 30 (see Figures 2, 3 and 4) which provide communication from the bill module 22 and the coin module 24l respectivel~, to the lower chamber. A cashbox 32 is removably secured in the lower chamber 16 as indicated in Figure 1, and has upper bill and coin openings, respectively, one of which, 34, is shown in Figure 2.
The openings in the cashbox are in alignment with the passageways 28 and 30 for receiving and storing fares deposited in the respective modules. The cashbox is normally locked in the lower chamber and released by rotating cashbox door handle 38, which simultaneously slides a shutter 40 across cashbox openings 34 and 36 in the manner described in more detail in U. S. Patent No.
4,977,502. When the cashbox is positioned in the lower chamber 20 and the door handle is rotated in the opposite direction, the shutter slides back away from the openings so that coins and bills can fall from the coin and bill modules, respectively, ; through the passageways or apertures 28 and 30 and into the cashbox. At the same time, a locking tang is activated to lock the cashbox in the chamber. The han~le 38 can only be rotated to unblock the openings 34 when the cashbox engages a magnetic key pin 41 at the rear of the chamber, ensuring that the openings _ 7 _ ~ ~c~597~
can only be uncovered when the cashbox is securel~ locked with the chamber. The cashbox security system does not form a specific part of the present invention and it will therefore not be described in any further detail.
Secure cashbox systems of this general type are known, one such system being described in U. S. Patent No. 4,877,179.
Other types of lockable cashboxes with suitable apertures 34 may alternatively be used in the lower chamber, the cashboxes being of the type which are automatically locked on removal of the cashbox from the lower chamber.
The structure of the bill and coin receiving modules will now be described in more detail with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The bill receiving module is arranged to receive any United States currency note in circulation. It may alternatively be arranged to receive foreign currency notes for fareboxes used in transit systems in countries outside the United States. In addition to currency notes, the module will recelve purchased farecards or tlckets, for example preprinted cardboard tickets with lengths corresponding to the prepaid fare value and different from the length of currencv notes. Thus the module 22 will receive any strip-like fare medla.
The bill, card or ticket is entered through the bill acceptlng aperture 18 on the upper part of the housing 12 in the direction of the arrow shown in Flyure 1. From here it is picked up by a transport mechanism 22 which transports it along a predetermined path through the module to an exit nozzle or opening 44 at the lower end of the housing. Located along the .
- 8 - ~2~3~
path through the module are various detection devices such as pairs of opposed optical sensors 46 and 48.
The transport mechanism and detection devices of the bill receiving module are described in detail in U. S. Patent No.
4,977,502 and will therefore not be described in any further detail in this application. The bill receiving module need not be of the specific type shown in the drawings, and may comprise any suitable module for receiving deposited bills, detecting their value, and transporting them to an exit opening for deposit in a cashbox.
Coins and/or tokens deposited in aperture 20 are fed through the coin module to a coin escrow window (not shown) that is visible to a bus driver. From here coins are directed via coin chute 88 which is in alignment with coin aperture 20 into the cashbox via the aligned cashbox coin deposit opening (not shown). The coin module preferably also includes a coin discriminator (not shown) through which coins are fed one by one.
The discriminator detects the value of the coins and communicates them to a suitable fare processing device, as described in more detail in U. S. Patent No. 4,977,502.
Thus in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a farebox upper chamber 14 contains at least two modules, one comprising a module for depositing strip-like fare media such as bills and tickets and the other comprising a module for receiving coin-like fare media such as coins and tokens.
However, it will be understood that a single fare receiving module may be provided in alternative embodiments, for receiving _ 9 _ ~9~7~
coins and/or bills, and that any suitable fare value detection devices may be used in the modules, including devices allowing visual inspection by a vehicle driver. Although the bill receiving module is shown in the preferred embodiment as including a moving belt transport mechanism and photosensor detection devices, it may in alternative embodiments comprise any suitable transporting and value detecting devices.
The security locking device of the present invention will now be described in more de~;ail, with specific reference to Figures 2 to 5. The device is particularly intended for use with a fare receiving module which is removable from a farebox for maintenance purpose, such as, for example, the bill receiving module described in U. S. Patent No. 4,977,502. Such a device could also be used with any other removable modules in a farebox.
7~
The security locking device is indicated generally by the reference numeral 52 and, as best shown in Figure~ 3 and 4, comprises a first part or key member 54 rotatably mounted on the ~are receiving module 22 an~ a second part or lock member 56 mounted on the dividing wall 26 at the base o~ the upper chamber 14. The lock member 56 is linked via a cam arm or linkage 58 to a security shutter or plate 60 slidable between a first, locking position shown in solid outline in Figure 4 in which it blocks or covers the connecting passageways or apertures 28 and 30 in the diviaing wall 26, and a second, retracted position shown in Figure 3 and in dotted outline in Figure 4 in which it is withdrawn to uncover or open the connecting passageways.
The key member comprises a key shaft 62 which extends rotatably through suitable aligned openings 64 in support : members 66 on the module 22. An external crank 68 is provided at the upper end of the sha~t 62, and a key 70 1~
provided at the lower end o~ the shaft 62 ~or locking engagement in a corresponding keyhole 72 in lock member 56.
20 The majority o~ the key~haft may be enclo~ed witlbin module 22 apart f rom crank: 68 at tbe upper end of the module and key 70 projecting ~rom tbe lower end of t~e modul~.
The lock me3nber 56 c~pri~es a conventional lock mechani~m within outer hou ing 74; witb t~e bolt or latch o~E
the lock mechanism replaced by the cam or linkage 58~ Thi~
is be~t illustrated in Figure 5. The key 70 i6 ~lotted to ': engage barrel 90 w~en inserted in the keyholder 72. The barrel is linked o the cam 58, so that rotation of key 70 in lock member 56 will rotate th~ cam between the two positions shown in solid and dotted outlines in Figure 5.
IP388APA.K07]
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A guide pin 76 projects upwardly from lock housing 74 for engaging a corresponding hole 78 (see Pigure 33 in a lower support member or wall of the module 22, to guide the key into the keyhole.
A~ æhown in Figures 3 ancl 4, cam or linkage member 58 has an elonga~e slot 80 at its free end into which a trunnion or pin 82 attached to the shutter 60 prvject~. The shutter 60 is g~ided ~or sliding movement between itB
locking and retracted positions by means o~ suitable guide~
84 mounted on dividing wall 26 and engaging its opposite side edges, and a guide bar 86 e~tending over the shutter 60 between the opposite guides 840 The guides 84 may alternatively comprise sliae channel~ or rails into which the opposite side edges of shutter 60 project.
Operation of the security locking device will now be described in more detail. ~n order to replace or position a fare receiving module into the ~arebox, the key 70 which project~ ~rom the lower en~ of the ~odule 22 must fir~t be inserted in keyhole 72. Guidepin 76 aids in guiding the key into keyhole 72.
At this point the shutte~ 60 will be p~sitioned as shown in Figure 4 in solid outline, blocking the ConneGting pas~ageway 30 and 2B and preventing depo~it o~ fare~ o the cashbox. In order for ~he ~arebox to be operational, th~ crank 68 at the upper end o~ keyshat 6~ mu~t be rotated~ rotating key 70 and thus cam 58 in an anti-clockwise direction.
[P388APA.K07~
Rotation of cam 58 will cause trunnion 82 to slide inwardly along slot 80 I pulling the shutter 60 back with the cam to the retracted, dotted line position shown in Figure 4. At this point the connecting passageway~ are unblocked, and at the same time key 70 is locked in lock member 56 to secure the module 22 in the cbamber If the module 22 is to be removed ~or maintenance, servicing or replacement, the crank 68 must be rotated in the opposite direction to release the key from the lock member 56 and at the same time rotate the cam 58 back towards the solid line position, forcing trunnion 82 back towards the outer end o~ the slot and sliding the shutter back into the locking or passageway blocking position.
Thus when the module is removed, allowing access to the 15 interior of the upper chamber 14 of the farebox, the shutter is automatically moved into a position blocking the connecting passageways to tne lower chamber 16 and is sesurely locked in thi6 position until the module is replaced and loclced in position. Thu~ unauthorized access 20 to the cashbox cha~ber via openings 28 and 30 i8 restrlcted . at all ti~ne~, even whan module 22 i~ ren~oved, ~ubstantially reducing the risk of ~ef t or tampering.
Without ~ucb a security device it i~ possible that a module 22 could be removed wben an open ca~hboY is in lower :~ 25 chamber 16, allowing ea~y acce~s to collected revenues in : t. the cashbox via opening~ 28 and 30.
Thus~ by replacing a standard lock bolt with cam 58 arranged ~uch that the locking position of sam and shutter 60 correspond to the unlocking of key from lock 56, and vice 30 ver~a, a reliable farebo~ security device for securing [P388APA.K07 :::
openings between separate ch~nbers of a farebox i~ provided.
This security assembly or device could clearly be adapted for use in any farebox having removable module~. Although the security ~hutter is ~hown in the preferred embodiment as 5 closing two connecting openings in it~ locked position, it may be arranged to close one opening only where there is only one removable fare receiving module, for example, or a greater number of openings where several separate fare deposit paths are provided within the farebox. If there is 19 More than one removable module, for example, if coin module 24 is separately removable from the housing for servicing or repair, a similar locking device may be associated with the other module to slide the same shutter or an additional shutter into a blocking position when the module is unlocked from the chamber prior to removal.
Bowever, in the illustrated embodiment the coin module may al~o be as~ociated wi~h an additional securi~y device.
This comprises a ~ecurity coin chute 88 mounted on the dividing wall betw~en and in alignment with coin chute 50 and coin opening 30. The ~ecurity chute 88 has a conventional ~anti-fishX ~unnel con~$ruction with a pair of oppositely directed ramped sur~aces (not shown) to prevent a person reaching through the coin opening 30 s~ouid the coin module 24 be removed for any reason.
Thu~ the bill module 22 is removed tbe bill and coin openings 2R and 30 are automatically blocke~ by shutter 60, and if the coin module 24 i~ removed the coin opening 30 is blocked by ~ecurity chute 88. In view of the security tP388APA.Ko7~
~ Z ~ 7 ~
chute 88 the shutter 60 may be arranged to cover only the bill opening 28, but increased security and prevention of ~fishinga is provided when shutter 60 covers both openings.
The ~ecurity device described above th~refore prevents anyone reaching through any ol:herwise uncovered opening when a module is removed from a farebox, and thus provides significant additional prot~ction against theft.
Although a preferred e~bodiment of the invention has been described above by way of example, it will be unoerstood by those skilled in the field that modifications may be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appendeà claims.
tP388APA.Ko7]
Fareboxes or cash acceptance receptacles, for example of the type used to collect fares from transit passengers automatically, typically comprise an outer receptacle in whlch a secure cashbox is loca~ed, and have soma means for detectiny the deposit of coins and/or bills and registering the appropriate payment. A suitable coin and~or bill deposit section is provided in the receptacle and guides deposited cash into the cashbox. The cashbox has openings ~7hich are automatlcally closed and locked when the receptacle is opened to allow the cashbox to be removed and replaced when full. These openings are open to allow the deposit of cash from the deposit section when the cashbox is securely locked within the farebox. Thus there is a security problem if anyone gains access to the interior of the deposit section of the farebox while the cashbox is in place.
7~3 One prior art farebox is shownr for example, in Re No.
28,307 of Dominick et al. In this case deposited fares are visible to a driver who determines whether the correct payment is made. The driver oPerates a trip bar to allow -fares to fall into a cashbox. A blocking plate is shifted into a position blocking an opening allowing passage of fares rom the fare deposit area to the cashbox area on opening of an access door to the cashbox area. Other fareboxes of this yeneral type are shown, for example, in U. S. Patent No. 3,741,~64 of Verbecke and U. S.
Patent No. 3,974,961 of Dominick et al showing a cashbox having deposit openings which are automatically closed and locked by sliding baffle plates on removal of the cashbox from an outer receptacle such as a farebox or vault.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided a farebox comprising: a housing having two separate chambers with at least one connecting passageway communicating between the two chambers; a fare receiving module located in a first one of the chambers and having means for receiving fares deposited in the housing, and means for transporting deposited fares to the connecting passageway; a locking device associated with the fare receiving module ~or releasably locking the module in the first chamber; a security shutter in the housing movable between a first position blocking the connecting passageway and a second position in which the passageway is unblocked; a cashbox located in the other chamber and having at least one deposit opening communicating with the connecting passageway for receiving fares deposited in the passageway by the fare receiving module;
f~ 3L2~
and linkage means linking said security shutter to said locking device for moving said security shutter into said first position in response to unlocking of said locking device to release the fare receiving module from the housing and moving said security shutter into said second position in response to locking of said locking device to secure said moduIe in said housing. The fare receiving module preferably includes an apparatus or device for detecting the value of a deposited fare and a transport mechanism for transporting the deposited fare through the module to the connecting passageway.
The cashbox located in the second chamber receives fares from the fare receiving module and stores accumulated fare deposits. The cashbox is removably locked in the chamber and itself has a security shutter or blocking plate which automatically closes and locks any fare receiving opening when the cashbox is released from the chamber.
Thus the farebox is doubly secure, since not only is the cashbox automatically closed and locked prior to its removal from the housing for emptying, for example, but a connecting passageway which connects a fare receiving and detecting module to the cashbox is also automatically closed and locked if the module has to be removed~ for example for maintenance purposes.
Thus unauthorized access or entry to the cashbox chamber is prevented, reducing the risk of theft.
Preferably, the locking device comprises a key member rotatably mounted on the fare receiving module and a lock device in the chamber for engagement by the key when the module is 7~
- 3a -correc-tly positioned in the chamber. The shutter device is linked to the lock device so that rotation of the key in a first direction acts both to lock the key member in the lock device and therefore the fare receiving module in the chamber and also to move the shutter out of the passageway to allow fares to be deposited in the cashbox.
Rotation of the key in an opposite, unlocking directisn acts to release the key and module ~rom the lock and to move the shutter in the opposite direction in~o a position blocking the passageway, where it will be locked in place until the key is again inserted and rotated in the firs~ direction.
BRI~@ D~SCRIPrION OF T~ DRAWI~GS
The present invention will be bet~er understood trom the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment/ taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like re~erence numerals refer to like parts and in wh.ich:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a farebox according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention ~howing the farebox housing in broken line outline to reveal components o~ the ~arebox within the housing;
Pigure 2 is a cutaway view of one side of the fa~ebox showing a fare receiving module for receiving fares ~t an entry opening in the housing and feeding them to a cashbox while detecting the value o~ the received fares;
20Figure 3 is an exploded perspecti~e view of ~he ~are receiving module, locking device and security shutter of the farebox, showing the parts of the locking device separated~
Figure 4 i8 a top plan view of he lockin~ device and security ~hutter, showing the shutter in a clo&ed and locked po~ition3 ~nd Figure 5 i8 a ~ectional view taken on ~he line 5-5 o~
~ Figure 4 showing a f ir8t po~ition o~ the securi~y ~hutt@r :~ and locking device in ~olid outline and a second position of the security shutter and locking devace in dot~ed outline.
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_ ~5~ ~ 5 ~ 7~
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Figure 1 of the drawings shows a farebox incorporating a security shutter and locking device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The far~box is preferably of the type generally described in U. S. Patent No. 4,977,502.
The farebox is designed or use, for example, on a bus or other transit vehicle in an urban mass transportation system for receiving fares in the form of cash, tokens, or magnetically encoded farecards from passengers as they enter the vehicle.
The driver of the vehicle controls and monitors operation of the farebox.
The farebox includes processing devices for monitoring the value of deposited fares, determining if the amount tendered is sufficient to pay the fare, and acknowledging and recording fare payment. These processing devices are described in detail in U. S. Patent No. 4,977,502 and do not form a part of the present invention. They will therefore not be described in any detail in this application, which is specifically concerned with a security device for such a farebox.
As shown in Figure 1, a farebox 10 basically comprises an outer housing 12 including upper an~ lower separate chambers 14 and 16. The upper chamber has an aperture 18 for receiving ; strip-like fare media such as bills, farecards or tickets, and a coin aperture 20 for receiving coins or tokens. Mounted within the upper chamber is a bill receivin~ module 22 for receiving bills~ cards or tickets deposited in aperture 18, and a coin receiving module 24 for receiving coins or tokens deposited in :lZ~7~
aperture 20. Also mounted on the housing is a magnetic card reader 25 for reading magnetically encoded farecards. This does not form a part of the present invention and may be omitted in alternative embodiments.
A security plate or dividing wall 26 separates the upper chamber 14 from the lower chamber 16. The dividing wall has one or more connecting passageways or openings 28, 30 (see Figures 2, 3 and 4) which provide communication from the bill module 22 and the coin module 24l respectivel~, to the lower chamber. A cashbox 32 is removably secured in the lower chamber 16 as indicated in Figure 1, and has upper bill and coin openings, respectively, one of which, 34, is shown in Figure 2.
The openings in the cashbox are in alignment with the passageways 28 and 30 for receiving and storing fares deposited in the respective modules. The cashbox is normally locked in the lower chamber and released by rotating cashbox door handle 38, which simultaneously slides a shutter 40 across cashbox openings 34 and 36 in the manner described in more detail in U. S. Patent No.
4,977,502. When the cashbox is positioned in the lower chamber 20 and the door handle is rotated in the opposite direction, the shutter slides back away from the openings so that coins and bills can fall from the coin and bill modules, respectively, ; through the passageways or apertures 28 and 30 and into the cashbox. At the same time, a locking tang is activated to lock the cashbox in the chamber. The han~le 38 can only be rotated to unblock the openings 34 when the cashbox engages a magnetic key pin 41 at the rear of the chamber, ensuring that the openings _ 7 _ ~ ~c~597~
can only be uncovered when the cashbox is securel~ locked with the chamber. The cashbox security system does not form a specific part of the present invention and it will therefore not be described in any further detail.
Secure cashbox systems of this general type are known, one such system being described in U. S. Patent No. 4,877,179.
Other types of lockable cashboxes with suitable apertures 34 may alternatively be used in the lower chamber, the cashboxes being of the type which are automatically locked on removal of the cashbox from the lower chamber.
The structure of the bill and coin receiving modules will now be described in more detail with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The bill receiving module is arranged to receive any United States currency note in circulation. It may alternatively be arranged to receive foreign currency notes for fareboxes used in transit systems in countries outside the United States. In addition to currency notes, the module will recelve purchased farecards or tlckets, for example preprinted cardboard tickets with lengths corresponding to the prepaid fare value and different from the length of currencv notes. Thus the module 22 will receive any strip-like fare medla.
The bill, card or ticket is entered through the bill acceptlng aperture 18 on the upper part of the housing 12 in the direction of the arrow shown in Flyure 1. From here it is picked up by a transport mechanism 22 which transports it along a predetermined path through the module to an exit nozzle or opening 44 at the lower end of the housing. Located along the .
- 8 - ~2~3~
path through the module are various detection devices such as pairs of opposed optical sensors 46 and 48.
The transport mechanism and detection devices of the bill receiving module are described in detail in U. S. Patent No.
4,977,502 and will therefore not be described in any further detail in this application. The bill receiving module need not be of the specific type shown in the drawings, and may comprise any suitable module for receiving deposited bills, detecting their value, and transporting them to an exit opening for deposit in a cashbox.
Coins and/or tokens deposited in aperture 20 are fed through the coin module to a coin escrow window (not shown) that is visible to a bus driver. From here coins are directed via coin chute 88 which is in alignment with coin aperture 20 into the cashbox via the aligned cashbox coin deposit opening (not shown). The coin module preferably also includes a coin discriminator (not shown) through which coins are fed one by one.
The discriminator detects the value of the coins and communicates them to a suitable fare processing device, as described in more detail in U. S. Patent No. 4,977,502.
Thus in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a farebox upper chamber 14 contains at least two modules, one comprising a module for depositing strip-like fare media such as bills and tickets and the other comprising a module for receiving coin-like fare media such as coins and tokens.
However, it will be understood that a single fare receiving module may be provided in alternative embodiments, for receiving _ 9 _ ~9~7~
coins and/or bills, and that any suitable fare value detection devices may be used in the modules, including devices allowing visual inspection by a vehicle driver. Although the bill receiving module is shown in the preferred embodiment as including a moving belt transport mechanism and photosensor detection devices, it may in alternative embodiments comprise any suitable transporting and value detecting devices.
The security locking device of the present invention will now be described in more de~;ail, with specific reference to Figures 2 to 5. The device is particularly intended for use with a fare receiving module which is removable from a farebox for maintenance purpose, such as, for example, the bill receiving module described in U. S. Patent No. 4,977,502. Such a device could also be used with any other removable modules in a farebox.
7~
The security locking device is indicated generally by the reference numeral 52 and, as best shown in Figure~ 3 and 4, comprises a first part or key member 54 rotatably mounted on the ~are receiving module 22 an~ a second part or lock member 56 mounted on the dividing wall 26 at the base o~ the upper chamber 14. The lock member 56 is linked via a cam arm or linkage 58 to a security shutter or plate 60 slidable between a first, locking position shown in solid outline in Figure 4 in which it blocks or covers the connecting passageways or apertures 28 and 30 in the diviaing wall 26, and a second, retracted position shown in Figure 3 and in dotted outline in Figure 4 in which it is withdrawn to uncover or open the connecting passageways.
The key member comprises a key shaft 62 which extends rotatably through suitable aligned openings 64 in support : members 66 on the module 22. An external crank 68 is provided at the upper end of the sha~t 62, and a key 70 1~
provided at the lower end o~ the shaft 62 ~or locking engagement in a corresponding keyhole 72 in lock member 56.
20 The majority o~ the key~haft may be enclo~ed witlbin module 22 apart f rom crank: 68 at tbe upper end of the module and key 70 projecting ~rom tbe lower end of t~e modul~.
The lock me3nber 56 c~pri~es a conventional lock mechani~m within outer hou ing 74; witb t~e bolt or latch o~E
the lock mechanism replaced by the cam or linkage 58~ Thi~
is be~t illustrated in Figure 5. The key 70 i6 ~lotted to ': engage barrel 90 w~en inserted in the keyholder 72. The barrel is linked o the cam 58, so that rotation of key 70 in lock member 56 will rotate th~ cam between the two positions shown in solid and dotted outlines in Figure 5.
IP388APA.K07]
~ . .
'~ ' ' ' .
:
A guide pin 76 projects upwardly from lock housing 74 for engaging a corresponding hole 78 (see Pigure 33 in a lower support member or wall of the module 22, to guide the key into the keyhole.
A~ æhown in Figures 3 ancl 4, cam or linkage member 58 has an elonga~e slot 80 at its free end into which a trunnion or pin 82 attached to the shutter 60 prvject~. The shutter 60 is g~ided ~or sliding movement between itB
locking and retracted positions by means o~ suitable guide~
84 mounted on dividing wall 26 and engaging its opposite side edges, and a guide bar 86 e~tending over the shutter 60 between the opposite guides 840 The guides 84 may alternatively comprise sliae channel~ or rails into which the opposite side edges of shutter 60 project.
Operation of the security locking device will now be described in more detail. ~n order to replace or position a fare receiving module into the ~arebox, the key 70 which project~ ~rom the lower en~ of the ~odule 22 must fir~t be inserted in keyhole 72. Guidepin 76 aids in guiding the key into keyhole 72.
At this point the shutte~ 60 will be p~sitioned as shown in Figure 4 in solid outline, blocking the ConneGting pas~ageway 30 and 2B and preventing depo~it o~ fare~ o the cashbox. In order for ~he ~arebox to be operational, th~ crank 68 at the upper end o~ keyshat 6~ mu~t be rotated~ rotating key 70 and thus cam 58 in an anti-clockwise direction.
[P388APA.K07~
Rotation of cam 58 will cause trunnion 82 to slide inwardly along slot 80 I pulling the shutter 60 back with the cam to the retracted, dotted line position shown in Figure 4. At this point the connecting passageway~ are unblocked, and at the same time key 70 is locked in lock member 56 to secure the module 22 in the cbamber If the module 22 is to be removed ~or maintenance, servicing or replacement, the crank 68 must be rotated in the opposite direction to release the key from the lock member 56 and at the same time rotate the cam 58 back towards the solid line position, forcing trunnion 82 back towards the outer end o~ the slot and sliding the shutter back into the locking or passageway blocking position.
Thus when the module is removed, allowing access to the 15 interior of the upper chamber 14 of the farebox, the shutter is automatically moved into a position blocking the connecting passageways to tne lower chamber 16 and is sesurely locked in thi6 position until the module is replaced and loclced in position. Thu~ unauthorized access 20 to the cashbox cha~ber via openings 28 and 30 i8 restrlcted . at all ti~ne~, even whan module 22 i~ ren~oved, ~ubstantially reducing the risk of ~ef t or tampering.
Without ~ucb a security device it i~ possible that a module 22 could be removed wben an open ca~hboY is in lower :~ 25 chamber 16, allowing ea~y acce~s to collected revenues in : t. the cashbox via opening~ 28 and 30.
Thus~ by replacing a standard lock bolt with cam 58 arranged ~uch that the locking position of sam and shutter 60 correspond to the unlocking of key from lock 56, and vice 30 ver~a, a reliable farebo~ security device for securing [P388APA.K07 :::
openings between separate ch~nbers of a farebox i~ provided.
This security assembly or device could clearly be adapted for use in any farebox having removable module~. Although the security ~hutter is ~hown in the preferred embodiment as 5 closing two connecting openings in it~ locked position, it may be arranged to close one opening only where there is only one removable fare receiving module, for example, or a greater number of openings where several separate fare deposit paths are provided within the farebox. If there is 19 More than one removable module, for example, if coin module 24 is separately removable from the housing for servicing or repair, a similar locking device may be associated with the other module to slide the same shutter or an additional shutter into a blocking position when the module is unlocked from the chamber prior to removal.
Bowever, in the illustrated embodiment the coin module may al~o be as~ociated wi~h an additional securi~y device.
This comprises a ~ecurity coin chute 88 mounted on the dividing wall betw~en and in alignment with coin chute 50 and coin opening 30. The ~ecurity chute 88 has a conventional ~anti-fishX ~unnel con~$ruction with a pair of oppositely directed ramped sur~aces (not shown) to prevent a person reaching through the coin opening 30 s~ouid the coin module 24 be removed for any reason.
Thu~ the bill module 22 is removed tbe bill and coin openings 2R and 30 are automatically blocke~ by shutter 60, and if the coin module 24 i~ removed the coin opening 30 is blocked by ~ecurity chute 88. In view of the security tP388APA.Ko7~
~ Z ~ 7 ~
chute 88 the shutter 60 may be arranged to cover only the bill opening 28, but increased security and prevention of ~fishinga is provided when shutter 60 covers both openings.
The ~ecurity device described above th~refore prevents anyone reaching through any ol:herwise uncovered opening when a module is removed from a farebox, and thus provides significant additional prot~ction against theft.
Although a preferred e~bodiment of the invention has been described above by way of example, it will be unoerstood by those skilled in the field that modifications may be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appendeà claims.
tP388APA.Ko7]
Claims (6)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A farebox comprising:
a housing having two separate chambers with at least one connecting passageway communicating between the two chambers;
a fare receiving module located in a first one of the chambers and having means for receiving fares deposited in the housing, and means for transporting deposited fares to the connecting passageway;
a locking device associated with the fare receiving module for releasably locking the module in the first chamber;
a security shutter in the housing movable between a first position blocking the connecting passageway and n second position in which the passageway is unblocked;
a cashbox located in the other chamber and having at least one deposit opening communicating with the connecting passageway for receiving fares deposited in the passageway by the fare receiving module; and linkage means linking said security shutter to said locking device for moving said security shutter into said first position in response to unlocking of said locking device to release the fare receiving module from the housing and moving said security shutter into said second position in response to locking of said locking device to secure said module in said housing.
a housing having two separate chambers with at least one connecting passageway communicating between the two chambers;
a fare receiving module located in a first one of the chambers and having means for receiving fares deposited in the housing, and means for transporting deposited fares to the connecting passageway;
a locking device associated with the fare receiving module for releasably locking the module in the first chamber;
a security shutter in the housing movable between a first position blocking the connecting passageway and n second position in which the passageway is unblocked;
a cashbox located in the other chamber and having at least one deposit opening communicating with the connecting passageway for receiving fares deposited in the passageway by the fare receiving module; and linkage means linking said security shutter to said locking device for moving said security shutter into said first position in response to unlocking of said locking device to release the fare receiving module from the housing and moving said security shutter into said second position in response to locking of said locking device to secure said module in said housing.
2. The farebox as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the locking device comprises a key member rotatably mounted on the fare receiving module, and a lock mechanism mounted in the first chamber for engagement with the key member when the module is correctly positioned in the chamber, the key member being rotatable when engaged in the lock mechanism between a locked position in which it is retained in said lock mechanism and a released position in which it is removable from said lock mechanism, and said linkage means comprises cam means connecting said shutter to said lock mechanism and means for moving said cam means in opposite directions in response to rotation of said key member in locking and unlocking directions in said lock mechanism.
3. The farebox as claimed in Claim 2, including guide means for guiding said key member into engagement with said lock mechanism.
4. The farebox as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said cam means comprises an arm rotatably connected at one end to said lock mechanism for operative engagement by said key member when engaged in said lock mechanism, and means linking the other end of said arm to said shutter.
5. The farebox as claimed in Claim 4, wherein said arm has a slot, said shutter having a projecting trunnion extending into said slot for movement in opposite directions along said slot as said arm is rotated by rotation of said key member in said lock mechanism to move said shutter between said two positions.
[P388APA.K07]
[P388APA.K07]
6. The shutter as claimed in Claim 1, further including guide means for guiding said shutter for sliding movement back and forth between said two positions.
[P388APA.K07]
[P388APA.K07]
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US93113386A | 1986-11-17 | 1986-11-17 | |
| US931,133 | 1986-11-17 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1295978C true CA1295978C (en) | 1992-02-18 |
Family
ID=25460261
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000551900A Expired - Lifetime CA1295978C (en) | 1986-11-17 | 1987-11-16 | Farebox security device |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1295978C (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2201459A (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2021080410A1 (en) * | 2019-10-24 | 2021-04-29 | Idear Electrónica, S.A. De C.V. | Electronic money till for the collection of fares on board buses |
-
1987
- 1987-11-10 GB GB08726239A patent/GB2201459A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1987-11-16 CA CA000551900A patent/CA1295978C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB8726239D0 (en) | 1987-12-16 |
| GB2201459A (en) | 1988-09-01 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |
Effective date: 19980218 |